ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE
ROUTINE
R 141110Z OCT 03 ZYB MIN PSN 071255J20
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//DNS//
TO ALNAV
UNCLAS //1300//
ALNAV 076/03
MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/DNS/-/OCT//
SUBJ/CJCS NAVY BIRTHDAY 2003//
POC/JEFF ALDERSON/CDR/CHINFO/LOC:WASHINGTON DC/TEL:(703)697-7391//
RMKS/1. IN 1775, THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS HAD THE FORESIGHT TO
ESTABLISH A NAVY AS AMERICA'S FRONT LINE OF DEFENSE. FROM THE
REVOLUTIONARY WAR TO OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, THE UNITED STATES NAVY
HAS PROUDLY DEFENDED OUR SHORES, PROTECTED OUR NATIONAL INTERESTS
ABROAD AND, DURING TIMES OF WAR, TAKEN THE FIGHT TO OUR NATION'S
ENEMIES. AMERICA'S SAILORS HAVE ALWAYS DEMONSTRATED THE HONOR,
COURAGE, AND COMMITMENT SO VITAL TO PROTECTING OUR FREEDOMS.
2. TODAY, IN THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM, AMERICA IS BATTLING ONE
OF THE GREATEST CHALLENGES WE HAVE EVER FACED - A THREAT TO OUR
NATION'S VERY EXISTENCE. THE US NAVY STANDS EVER READY, FORWARD
DEPLOYED AROUND THE GLOBE, TO DEFEND OUR NATION AND OUR WAY OF LIFE.
MOST RECENTLY THIS MIGHTY FLEET HAS SUPPORTED ACTIONS IN
AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ AND LIBERIA. WHILE MANY SHIPS HAVE RETURNED HOME,
MANY OTHERS REMAIN ON STATION, THEIR SAILORS FAITHFULLY STANDING
WATCH AROUND THE WORLD - BECAUSE THE NAVY'S JOB IS NEVER DONE.
3. TOMORROW'S NAVY MUST BE PREPARED TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF THE
21ST CENTURY. YOUR PRESENCE ABROAD CONTINUES TO BE CRITICAL TO
MAINTAINING PEACE AND STABILITY THROUGHOUT A TURBULENT WORLD. YOUR
FIGHTING SPIRIT AND INNOVATIVE MINDS WILL FAITHFULLY SERVE AND
PROTECT OUR COUNTRY FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
4. ON BEHALF OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF AND THE MEN AND WOMEN OF
THE ARMED FORCES, I CONGRATULATE THE NAVY ON ITS 228TH BIRTHDAY, AND
SALUTE ALL THE SAILORS WHO PROUDLY SERVE IN THE GREATEST NAVY THAT
EVER SAILED. RICHARD B. MYERS, CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF
STAFF.
5. RELEASED BY VADM P. A. TRACEY, DIRECTOR, NAVY STAFF.//
BT
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